Pakistani Troops Arrest 20 in Border Sweep
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WANA, Pakistan — Pakistani troops using helicopters and artillery flattened three housing compounds and detained at least 20 people in a remote border region where Al Qaeda fugitives were believed to have taken refuge.
The sweep followed a warning to tribal elders to hand over foreign suspects who were reportedly in the area.
The Pakistani military searched house to house for six hours in villages near Wana, a few miles from the border with Afghanistan.
It was not clear whether any senior members of Afghanistan’s ousted Taliban regime or any Al Qaeda fugitives were detained, although foreigners, including three Arab women, were among the 20 arrested. Weapons, ammunition, passports and other materials were seized.
“This seizure confirms that foreign elements were given shelter by some tribesmen,” Pakistani army spokesman Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan said.
Authorities had talked for days about launching the operation if tribal authorities did not hand over the suspects.
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